Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh, left, talks with quarterback Tavita Pritchard (14) in the first quarter of an NCAA college football game in Stanford, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 1, 2008. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)

Stanford is laying groundwork for its 2009 season - one in which coach Jim Harbaugh already has stated his program's BCS aspirations - before spring has even sprung.

The process of determining a starting quarterback, replacing a handful of key starters on defense - and even giving a sizable number of players a chance to play on both offense and defense - begins today as the Cardinal open the first half of their 15-session spring practice schedule.

The first half of the spring schedule, which includes eight practices, ends March 9. The second session begins April 1, culminating in the annual spring game April 13.

For the second year in a row, the most-watched competition of camp will be at quarterback. Fifth-year senior Tavita Pritchard again will try to hang onto his starting spot.

Redshirt freshman Andrew Luck and junior Alex Loukas will be sharing the repetitions and getting a close look from Harbaugh. Luck is viewed as the biggest challenger, his ascension to the starting spot all but assumed. The only hitch is that Luck is recovering from mononucleosis. He is expected to be ready to play today.

"We believe that he can be a great one and we want to see him stay on that track," Harbaugh said of Luck.

Harbaugh also said Luck will "have to be very good" to win the starting spot.

"We believe he's definitely got that in him," Harbaugh said. "It'll be a good competition, and we'll see whether we will have a starter coming out of spring ball."

Junior Ryan Whalen and sophomore Chris Owusu have a head start at wide receiver. Junior Jeremy Stewart will get plenty of reps at running back with last year's star, tailback Toby Gerhart, missing spring football while he plays for the Stanford baseball team.

On the offensive line, the biggest stories will be the return of Allen Smith from a knee injury sustained in 2007 and the search for a replacement for center Alex Fletcher.

Harbaugh said there will be four key competitions on defense involving Michael Thomas and Mark Mueller at cornerback and Corey Gatewood and Quinn Evans at the other corner. Brian Bulcke and Matt Masifilo will compete to start at defensive tackle, and at strong-side linebacker Will Powers and Alex Debniak will vie for the starting job.

Sophomore Delano Howell will make the most high-profile position switch of the spring, moving from running back to strong safety.

"He's the starting strong safety from Day 1," Harbaugh said. "There's a big onus on him in that position."

Senior Richard Sherman has asked to be moved from wide receiver - where he was the team's leading receiver in 2007 - to defensive back for his final season. The knee injury he sustained last season will keep him out of the first half of practice sessions. Harbaugh said Sherman won't be on the depth chart at cornerback until he's ready to play.

Howell will be among the players who get a shot at both offense and defense. Others include Chike Amajoyi, Quinn Evans, Alex Debniak, Mark Mueller, Austin Yancy, Michael Thomas, Sean Wiser, Erik Lorig, Owen Marecic, Tom Keiser and Tom McAndrew.

"I think it's the wave of the future," Harbaugh said. "In college football, it's about finding as many good players as you can and making sure that you are utilizing them as much as possible. I believe we're on the cutting edge of that."